Press for forming tablets and the like



Aug. 3, 1943. A. s. KUX 2,325,687

PRESSES FOR FORMING TABLETS AND THE LIKE I Filed 001}. 3, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 3, 1943. A s, K x w 2, 325,687

PRESSES FOR FORMING TABLETS AND THEIQIKE Aug. 3, 1943. s, ux 2,325,687

PRESSES FOR FOBMINQTABLETS AND.THE L IKE Filed Oct. 3, 1940 r 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. S. KUX

PRESSES FOR FORMING TABLETS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 3, 1 940 "I'WII'IIIIH-III l IIIHIIIIIIHW HHH 7 9 heet 5 A. S. KUX

PRESSES FOR FORMING TABLETS AND THE LIKE" Filed Oct 3, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Aug. 3,1943

PRESS FOR FORMING TABLETS AND THE LIKE AlbertS. Kux, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 3, 1940, Serial No. 359,581 11 Claims. (01'. 1&1 6)

"This invention relates to improvements in presses particularly adapted though not necessarily limited in use for forming tablets from granular or powdered material, and one of the a pause or dwell in the mechanism, thereby allowing the material to flow or set, thus insuring uniform density.

A further object is to provide in a machine of this character improved means whereby an oversupply of material will be delivered to the compression chamber or pocket between the compression plungers to insure the proper amount of material in each tablet, and which oversupply will bereturned'to the source of supply before the compressing operation starts.

A. further object is to provide in a press of this character improved means whereby the material in the pocket may be displaced or distributed before the compressing operation so as to position some of the material to provide for the formation of projections on opposite sides of the body of the article being produced.

A further object is to provide improved means whereby an extra squeeze or compression will be imparted to the tablet or work after .the com- 1 pression plungers have reached the limit of their initial compressing or squeezing operation.

' A further object is to provide in a press of i this character a plurality of different-means,

each operable separately and successively upon the compression plungers to impart independent movements thereto all during one cycle of operation of the press. v

A further object is to ,provide in a machine of this character improved means whereby tablets which ar'eprovided with countersiiiks or projections on opposite sides thereof may be readily ejected from the machine.

' To the attainment or these ends and the acc'omplishment of other'new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully. described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

' Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale, and the upper part of the machine broken away; m

Figure 2A is an enlarged detail side elevation of the upper portion of the machine which is broken away from Figure 2'.

Figure 3 is a detail'horizontal sectional view taken on llne 3-3 Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail horizontal view taken on line 4-4 Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an irregular vertical sectional view taken on line 5-4 Figure 4.

Figure 6 is 'an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 6--6 Figure 1 r Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line |--1 Figure 1. V

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view similar to Figure 7 of the compression chamber and lower compression members showing the parts in a differentposition from that shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view' similar to Figure 7 showing the parts in their final compressing position.

Figure 10 is a detail view partly in, front elevation, partly in section, and with parts broken away of a modified form of the invention, showconfiguration and rests upon a base It. 'Intermediate the top and bottom-of the frame is a supporting ledge orplatform l1 formed integral with the frame and below this support are spaced uprights I8 in which a slide I9 is adapted toreciprocate. The sides of the slide are preferably tapered, as at 20, and move in suitable guideways 2|. being held against displacement by suitable gibs 22. g

Supported by-the slide in any suitable manner are a plurality of adjustable abutments 23-24- 25 which arepreferably in the form of screws armanner, such as by means of clamp screws or bolts 26.

This slide together with the abutments 26 is adapted to be moved in one direction preferably by gravity, although if desired any suitable spring a may be provided to accomplish that end.

The slide is adapted to be moved in the oppo- I therewith a series of cams individual to the levers 25-46- 26. A cam 37 carried by the shaft 36 is adapted to contact the end 36 of the lever 2'8 and if desired a roller may be carried by the, lever to be engaged by the cam. A cam 36 is also carried by the shaft ,36 and this cam 39 engages and operates against the end of the lever 23. (See particularly Figure 4.) The end of the lever 28 is engaged and operated upon by anothercam 46 on the shaft 36 and these cams are arranged with respect to each other so as to operate in timed relation upon the ends ofthe respective levers 2l-28-29.

Thus it will be seen by' rotation of the cam shaft 36 the respective levers and the position in which the cams are set with respect to each other determines the predetermined order or sequence in which the levers 2l-28-29 operate upon the slide Hi to raise it.

The cam shaft is operated from a motor 6| by means of a belt 42 which passes over a pulley 43 on the motor shaft (see particularly Figure 3); The belt also passes over a pulley 46 loosely mounted'upon the shaft 36 and connected to the pulley for rotation therewith a gear46i that in turn meshes with a gear 46 that is carried by a shaft 41 journaled in suitable bearings and extending parallel with the cam shaft 36.

Secured to the shaft 41 at the opposite side of the machine and for rotation therewith is a gear 48 which in turn meshes with a gear 46 that is secured to the cam shaft 36 for rotation therewith.

- The platform I! is provided with an opening 56 extended therethrough and removably seated in this recess is a die 6! which is open at its top and bottom and constitutes the compression chamber for the material."

These collars or members 5|-58 may be adjusted with respect to each, other and upon the tubular member 53, for a purpose to be set forth, and are adapted to be held in their adjusted positions in any suitable manner, such as by means of a fastening member 59, -one edge of which is adapted to enter recesses 60 in the periphery of each of the members ill-58, and the member 58 is held in position in any suitable manner such as by means of a fastening screw or bolt 6!. To adjust the members 51 '58 ,the bolt 6| is released so that the member 59 may be moved out of the recesses in the periphery of the members 5 l-66, after which the latter may be turned upon the tubular. member 53 and may be then looked in their adjusted 'positioriby repositioning the member 69.

The tubular member 53 with its extension 54 is supported by means of a lever 62, the end 63 of which latter projects into the space between the collars 57-58, the lever being supported for oscillatory motion by means of a sleeve 66 to which latter the lever or arm 62 is connected.

This lever 62 is oscillatable about its support by means of a cam 65 (see Figures 2 and 5) on the cam shaft 36 and which cam co-operates with a roller 66 carried by a bracket 61 secured to an upright bar \or rod 68 that is mounted for vertical reciprocation upon one of the walls of the frame by means of bolts 63 passing through slots in in' the bar or rod, and this ,bar or rod is connectedto the sleeve by means of a link ii pivotally connected, as at 12, to' the bar or rod, and at its other end as at 13 to an arm'ifl extending from the sleeve 64.

A spring i5 is provided, one end secured to the bar or rod 68, as at 16, and is compression member will be operated, being de- 'Disposed below the'top 52 of the slide I3 is a tubular member 63 which is provided with ex ternal screw threads and supported by this tubular member is a tubular extension 54 (see particularly Figure 7), the lower end of whlch is preferably reduced as at 65 and is provided with externalscrew threads 66 adapted to telescope into and engage internal threads in the end. of the tubular member 63, to form an extension thereof. This tubular extension-64 constitutes stantially flush with the top of the compression anchored as at ll to a fixed support and tends normally to move the bar or rod 68 in one direction and also to'hold the roller, 66 in a position that it will be engaged by the cam 65.

It will therefore be manifest that inasmuch as the end 63 of the lever 62 is positioned between the nuts or collars 51-58, the tubular member 53 with its extension 54 will be held in position and that according to, the direction of operation of the lever the tubular member, or one of the lower compression members, 'will be correspondingly moved, the time in the cycle of operation of the lever 62 at which the lower termined by the relative positions of the nuts or collars 5l-'-56, and this arrangement of'the nuts or collars with the end 63 of the lever 62' will also determine the period of dwell which the lower compression member 54 will have' during the cycle of operation of the press.

A stationary core member 16 is mounted upon a fixed support 19 and is of a length that it projects entirely through the lower tubular compression member 64 and into the compressioni chamber in the die 6|, terminating subchamber 86 (see particularly Figures '7 and 9).

An 'outer tubular member 8| telescopes with the tubular member, or one of the lower. compresone of the lower compression membersliad is adapted to be reciprocated within the die 5!. The

, tubular member 63 together with the extension 64 is supported by. means of nuts or collars l'|58 that are threaded upon the tubular member 63 and are spaced from each other in-directions lengthwise of the axis of the member 53.

' sion members 64 and is supportedby the top 62 of the slide [9, beingvheld in position'in any suitable manner such as by .means of a collar 82 which is anchored to the top 52 of the slide l6 and overhangs a shoulder llon the member 6| so that the slide and the member 8| will be connected together for reciprocation inunison upon the operation bi the slide.

The inner tubular member 64, however, is also of which is ,be rocked about its pivot 85 and the inner secadapted for independent movement with respect to the outer tubular member 8| of the lower compression member. I

A collar 84 loosely surrounds the compression member 8| and is adapted for movement upon the member 8| in directionslengthwise'of the or collars 8I82 adjustably mounted upon a rod or support 88, the latter being held in a fixed position in any suitable manner preferably by being disposed between and secured to the bottom of the platform I! and the support 18.

By adjusting the nuts or collars 8I82 the time in the cycle of operation of themachine at which the collar 84 will be moved upon and with varied. I i

This collar 84 is provided as a means for moving the inner compression member or section 54.

with respect to the outer section or compression member 8| and in order to effect this operation the collar 84 (see particularly Figures 7 and 9) is provided with a pin or projection 84 which extends inwardly through a slot 85 in the member 8| and is connected to the inner member or section 54 of the lower compression memberso that when the slide I8 is raised, the two sections 548I,0f the lower compression member will be simultaneously moved in a fixed relation to each other. When, however; the end 88 of thelever 88 contacts the nut or collar 8| as the slide I8 is raised, it will be manifest that the lever 88 will 'tion 54 of the lower compression member will be moved with respect to the outer section 8|, as the end 88 of the lever will contact thenut or collar 8| at the time in the cycle of operation of the machine when the member III has reached the limit of its movement by the slide III. This independent movement of the inner section 84 withrespect to the outer member 8| of the lower compression member is for the purpose of insuring a uniform compression of the work being operated upon. a

It has been found that in machines of this character the compression of the material from which the article is formed, and especially hollow articles having a flange or projection extending therefrom, has not been uniform with the result that the density of the material in the product has not been uniformly produced.

Therefore, with the present construction the outer portion of the product will be compressed by the'outer section 8| of the lower compression member while the central portion of the product, which surrounds the aperture through the product, that is, the inner portion of the product will be uniformly compressed with the outer portion.

' Obviously similar compression elements are provided for the other side of be later described. 1 v

The material to be compressed is supplied from any suitable source in any suitable manner, prefthe product and will erably through a chute "at the end of which is provided a cap 81 having an open bottom and respect to the compression member 8| may be v this cap is pivotally mounted, as at 88 (see ticularly Figure 2) upon the platf0rm-|1 so that the cap 81. may be swung into a position over the open top end of the compression chamber 88 and to be moved therefrom. This movement may be accomplished in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of a lever 88 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at I88 upon a suitable support. To the upper end of this lever 88 is connected a rod I82 one end of the rod being adjustably connected as at I88 with an ear or, projection I84 on the cap or member 81 so that when the lever 88 is swung about its pivot I88, the cap 81 will be correspondingly moved about its pivot 88. If desired, a suitable spring I85 may be provided with tends normally to move the cap 81'. in one direction. I

The other end I86 of the lever 88 terminates adjacent the cam shaft 38 and at the end of the lever may be provided a roller I81 (see Figure 5) This roller I81 projects .into and moves within a cam groove I88 preferably in the cam 31, and the bottom I88 of a portion of the cam'groove is undulated so that as the cam is rotated and as the undulated surface I89 contacts the roller I8I; it will imparta vibratory movement to the lever 88 and this'in turn will impart a vibratory movement to the cap 81 so as to insure a uniform distribution of the material within the compression chamber 88. a

After the chamber 88 has been supplied with material the cap or member 81 is swung about its pivot and will scrape off the surplus material during the movement of the cap in one direction.

. If desired, a shield or guard II8 .(see Figures 5 and 6) may be provided to project above the'platform II so as to prevent dissipation of the material.

Arranged above the platform I1 is another slide III similar to the slide I8 and slide III carries one of the upper compression members .I'I2.

. latter engages over the head 8 and is secured 1 III.

'in position by fastening screws I". The tubular member is provided with external threads H8 at its free end and threaded thereupon is a .Il8 and by one end thereof is a link I28, as at nected, as at I22, to one end of a lever I28 which latter is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends,

are rollers I28--I28 and with which rollers a cam. I88 ,co-operates, this cam I88 being secured to the cam shaft I88 for rotation therewith.

' It will-thus be seen that-when the cam shaft is rotated the cam I88 co-operating with the rollers I28I28 will cause the lever I28 to be oscillated about its pivot and a reciprocatory movement will be imparted to the slide I I I. Secured to this slide and depending therefrom is a tubular member- I8I which constitutes the outer section of the g I upper compression member and is arranged In alinement with the compression chamber 88 so that upon the lowering of the slide III it will The other end of the link is .pivotally conenter the compression chamber and will co-operate with the lower compression element 8| to compress a portion of the material therebetween. By the adjustment of the member I12 with respect to the nut II9, which may be accomplished by rotating the member I I2 by means of a suitable tool or implement inserted in suitable apertures I32 in the member II2, the extent to which the end of the compression member I 3| will enter the chamber 8| may be varied.

I ment of the bolt I33 may be had by means of an angular extremity I31 thereof which is adapted to receive a wrench or other adjusting tool.

will serve as a means for not only holding the element H2 in positionbut also will hold it against rotation.

Extending through the members II 2 and I 3I is a tubular element I38 which constitutes the inner section of the upper compression member. Thiselement I38 also extends through the tubular bolt I33 thereby adapting the compression element I38 for movement'with respect to the element I I2. This independent movement of the element I38 with respect to the element H2 is preferably accomplished through the medium of a lever I39 pivotally supported intermediate its ends, at I48. A link MI is pivptally connected at its end, as at I42 to one end of the lever and by its other end, as at I43, to a yoke I44. The

21 to raise the slide. While the chamber is being filled, the low portion of the cam 31 is engaging It will therefore-be seen that this element I33 end of the element I 38 is threaded through the bottom of the yoke I 44, as at I45, and a lock nut I48 may be provided if desired.

The lever I39 is rocked about its pivot I48 so as to reciprocate the inner upper compression member I38 by means of a bar or rod I41 pivotally connected at one end, as at I48, to the lever. The other end of the bar I41 terminates adjacent the cam shaft 38 (see particularly Figures 2 and 3) and carries a roller I49. Thisrollei co-operates with a cam carried by the shaft 36. The bar or rod I41 is supported by means of a link l41a pivotally connected by one end to the bar I41 as at I41b (see also Figure 5) and at its other end, as atI41c to an arm I41d on the sleeve 84.

The cams which operate the slide and the inner compression tubular member I38 above the bed are so arranged to cause the tubular members I38 and I 3| to move in unison for a portion of the operation of the machine and then while the tubular member I3I is maintained at rest the compression element or member I38 ismoved with sion members will be operated the end 38' of the lever 21 so thatthe slide I9, which has fallen by its own weight, will remain in the lowermost position. Before the cap 91 is moved out'of position over the chamber, the high portion of the cam 91 will engage the end or the lever 28 and raise the slide so as to ejectthe surplus amount of material from the chamber back into the supply which is contained within the I cap 91. The cap is then moved from over the compression chamber. The upper slide III is then lowered and when the chamber is closed by the element 3|, the lower slide I9 is raised and compression will then take place between theupper and lower compression members.

Before the upper and'lower compression members move away from-each other and during the upward movement of the lower slide, and when I close proximity thereto. Thi will insure a uniform compression throughout the entire area of the product. This additional movement of the element 54 with respect to the element 8B is caused by reason of the end 90 of the lever 89 contacting the upper ,nut or collar 9| on the bar or rod 93 as shown more clearly in Figure 9 of the drawings.

' Similarly a movement of the upper inner tubular compression element I38 will be imparted thereto with respect to the element I3I through the medium of the lever I39 and the bar or rod I41 which is operated by the cam I58. After the compression operations, the upper compression elements are raised while the lower compression elements 548I remain at rest and will so remain until the upper (he moves" far enough away from, the top of the compression chamber to permit the work to be ejected from the compression chamber. The lower compreswhich raises the slide I9.

The ejection of the finished product from the compression chamber will be efiected by the operation of the lever 28 which moves the slide I9 upwardly. After the article has been removed from the compression chamber the cams operate to permit the respective levers to move out of engagement with the respective abutments 23-24-25, thereby allowing the slide I9 to drop of its own weight or return to its lowermost position so that a new supply may be delivered 7 into the compression chamber.

It willtherefore be manifest that with this construction and operation there will be insured a'uniform density throughout the area. of the product.

contained in the finished product. The cap 91 is then moved to the position shown in Figure '1 so'that the material will be supplied to the compression chamber 89. The cap 91 is agitated during this operation so as to equally distribute the material in the compression chamber. Before the cap 91 is removed-the slide I9 is raised by the lever 21, that is, by reason of the high portion of the cam 31 operating upon the end 38 of the lever Furthermore, with this improved machine an article, suchas the article I5I shown in Figure 9, may be formed. That is, the article may be provided with a flange or extension I52-I53 on opposite sides of the body I54 and at the same time the material which encompasses the opening will be subjected to the same degree of pres sure as the body portion I54 which extends beyo'nd the flanges I52-'-I53 Furthermore, by the operation of theejector mechanism, the article may be removed entirely from the compression chamber without the danger of injuring the product. .p

by the lever 29 out the-necessity During the compression operationthe compression elements have a dwell in their 'movement, thereby allowing the material to set while the same is being held under pressure. a It will also be manifest that with this improved construction all of theadjusting mechanism for the slide and for the compression elements are freely accessibleand are located at one side of the'machine, with the result that anyadjustment or change in the extent of movementor in the order or sequence of operation of the various cams may be readihr obtained withof dismantling the parts of the mechanism. If desired, mechanism may be provided whereby a core may'be inserted into the'compression chamber 80 through the side thereof to produce an opening in the product transverse to the central opening.

In such event there may be'provided acore I55 (see particularly Figure which is com nected to a slide I56 and this core isadapted to be insertedthrough a suitable opening I5I'-in the-wall of the chamber 88.

The slide is suitablyguided and is provided with an opening I58 therethrough, the walls I59 of which are inclined and the opening I58 is disposed above a suitable opening I68 in the platform I1. v I

Carried by theupper slide I I I is an operating member I 6I which is preferably inclined and is arranged in'register with the openin I58 in the slide 156 so that when the slide I I I is lowered to lower the upper compression member I3I into the chamber 88, the projection or member I I8I will enter the opening I58ii: the slide I58 and by reasonof the inclined shape of the projection and the inclined walls I59 of the opening 158 the core I51, as the slide is lowered, will be moved into the chamber 88.

- when the chamber is closed, and before the op-- l With this improved construction it will be manifest that after the material has been delivered into the compressionchamber 88-and 'eration of the compression members upon the material to compress the same, the movement of the lower compression members with respect to the upper compression members will cause an equal distribution of the .material in the'compression chamber. That is, the material will be forced upwardly toward the upper compression members so as to provide sufficient material to form the flange I53 on the upper side of the body I5I' (see Figure 9).

While the preferred form of the invention has beeri' herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may ,be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing"- from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is: 1. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form having a boss or projection of substantial length on both sides thereof providing a tablethaving portions of varying thickness, a

forming chamber, compression elements havingsections movable relatively to one another, means for moving said elementsin said chamber toward each other to effect compression, and

away from each other, means for delivering into said chamber and between said compression elements material in excess of the volume of material contained in the finished product, means for causing one of said elements to eject the material before compression thereof, additional means for further actuatinga section of one of i said elements to exert an additional pressure When the slideIII is raised, the projection IBI will pass out of the opening I58 in the slide I56 and will cause the core I51 to be withdrawn from the chamber 801 I Should it be desired to impart an extra compression or squeezing movement to the inner.

upper compression element I38 mechanism similar to the mechanism for accomplishing such movement in the lower compression elements may be provided. To that end there may bepro vided a sleeve I82 which encompasses the element I 3| and the sleeve is provided with an open circumferential recess I63.-. A'lever I64 is pivotally supported intermediate its end as at I65 upon 'a bracket I68 which latter is carried by the slide -III.

The forward end m or the lever in projects The lever m is rocked aboutits pivot m pref-' upon the tablet to further compress it in the zone of its greatest thickness, after the compression elements have reached the limit of their initial compression movement in said zone and while the remaining portion of the tablet is maintained under a constant and unyielding pressure. q I

2. In amachine for compressing material into tablet form having a boss or projection of substantial length on both sides thereof,.a forming chamber, compression elements movable in said chamber in directions'towards and away from each other, operating means for said elements, means for delivering into said chamber and between said compression elements material in excess of the volume of material contained in the finished product, means for electing the excess material before compression of materiaL-and means for exerting an additional pressure upon the tablet in the zone of its greatest thickness after the compression elements have reached the limit of their initial compression movement in said zone and while a constant and unyielding pressure is maintained upon the-remaining portion of the tablet, the last recited means embodying a portion of one of said compression elements, and means in addition to the first said opera ing means for said element, operating upon said r- 'tion of said element.

erably by means of an abutment I88 'which is adapted to engage a sto lilmounted upon the platform 11. The abutment m is adjustably mounted in the end III of the lever I so as'to control the time in the operation of the slide I I I at which the abutment I88 will engage the stop 3. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form having a boss or projection of substantial length .on .both sides, thereof, a formingchamber, compression elements movable in said chamber in directions towards and away from each other, actuating means for said elements, means, for delivering into saidchamber and between sald compression elements material inexcess of the volume of material contained in the finished product, means for ejecting the excess reached the limit of their movements by the respective first said actuating means therefor.

4. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form, a forming chamber, compression elements movable in said chamber in directions toward and away from each other, means for delivering into the chamber and between said cornpression elements a sulplus of the material to be compressed, means for actuating one of said compression elements, a slide carrying the other of said compress ion elements, a plurality of actuating means for successively and separately operating said slide to respectively eject the surplus material from the chamber, compress the material in the chamber and eject the finished product from the chamber, driving means for operating the said slide actuating means, one of said compression elements being of sectional construction, and positive means operating automatically as the last said compression element reaches the limit of its movement in one direction by the movement of the slide by its aforesaid actuating means for imparting a further compression movement to one of the said sections of said compression element.

5. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form, a forming chamber, compression construction, positive means individual to said sections for actuating them in unison and-in fixed relation to each other, and means individual to said actuating means for moving one of said sections with relation to the other after the said sections have reached the limit of their movement in unison and in the same direction as the lastsaid movement.

. '7. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form, a forming chamber, compression elements movable in said chamber in directions towards and away from each other, means for supplying to the chamber and between said elements for such initial pres'sureand means for actuatelements movable in said chamber in directions toward and away from each other, means for delivering into the chamber and between said compression elements a surplus of the material to be compressed, means for actuating one of said compression elements, a slide ,carrying ating means for successively and separately operating said slide to respectively eject the surplus material from the chamber, compress the material in' the chamber and eject the finished product" from the chamber,.a drive shaft common to all of said slide actuating means, the said compression element which is carried by the slide being of sectional construction, means operating automatically as the last said compression element reaches the limit of its movement in one direction by the movement of the slide by its aforesaid actuating means for imparting a further compression movement to. one of thesaid sections of said compression element, and means separate from the actuating'means for the of the said compression a further and squeezing movementfthereto when it has reached the limit of its movement by the first said actuating means therefor.

6. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form, a forming chamber, compression elements movable in said chamber in directions towards and away from. each other, means for supplying to the chamber'and betweensaid elements, the material to be compressed, means for actuating one of said elements, the other of said compression elements being of sectional the otherv of said compression elements, a plurality of actuother" elements "tor imparting a volume of material greater than the volume contained in the finished product, means for actuating one of said elements, the other of said compression elements being of sectional construction, positive meanslindividual to said sections 'for actuating them in unison and in fixed relation to each other, to eject the surplus material and also for compressing the material in the chamber, and means individual to said actuating means for moving one of said sections with relation to the other after thesaid sections have reached the limit of their movement in unison and in the same direction as the last said movement.'

8. In a machine for compressing material into tablet form, a forming chamber, compression means embodying a main compression element and asupplemental compression element, both movablein said chamber to initially compress the material, said supplemental element being further operable to compress a portion only of said material, means for operating said elements ing said supplemental element to impart to a portion of the material in said chamber a further compression after both of said compression elements have reached the limit of their compression movement, while maintaining a constant and unyielding pressure upon the material by 4 said main compression element and within a predetermined zone -9. A machine for compressing material into form-sustaining shape, embodying a chamber comprising elements reciprocable in the chamber in directions towards and away from each other, means individual to the elements for respectively reciprocating them for compressing material therebetween, one of said elements being constructed of relatively. movable sections, both of said sections being movable in unison and simultaneously operating upon the material to initially compress theentire material in zones individual to the sections, and means individual to one of said sections for positively operating it with respect to the. other section to further compress the ,material in its respective zone, after the said other. section has reached the limit of its compression movement,

10. A machine for'compre'ssing material into I dorm-sustaining shape, embodying a chamber comprising elements reciprocable in'the chamber "in directions towards and away from each other, means individual to the elements for respec tively reciprocating them for compressing ma terial thereb'etween, one of said elements being constructed of relatively movable sections, both of said sections being movable in unison and simultaneously operating upon the material to f initially compress-the entire material in zones individual to the sections, means individual to one of said sections for positively operating it with respect to the other section to further com- Y press the material in its respective zone, after form-sustaining shape, embodying a chamber comprising elements reciprocabl'e'in the chamber in directions towards and away from each other, means individual to the elements for respectively reciprocating them for compressing material therebetween, both of said elements being con-' structed of relatively movable sections, both of said sections of both of said elements being movable in unison and simultaneously operating upon the material to initially compress the entire material in zones individual to the sections, and

' means individual to one of said sections of each of said elements for positively operating it with relation to the other respective section to further compress the material in its respective zone, after the said other section of the respective elements has reached the limit of its compression movement.

' ALBERT S.- KUX. 

